Karamu High School production rises from the ashes
Resurrecting a production from the ashes of a Covid-19 lockdown has seen the wider Hawke’s Bay community rally together to allow Karamu High School students take to the stage.
More than 40 students are in the cast and crew of this year’s Fiddler on the Roof production – the majority of whom were due to perform in last year’s The Addams Family Show before the school made the tough decision to cancel it two weeks out from opening night in March.
While they usually hold a production every two years, Karamu High School’s Teacher in Charge of Music, Amanda Cooper, says it was only right to make up for last year.
“This is our recovery show and we have pulled in as much as we can from the community around us to make it possible to put on a show.”
Mrs Cooper says it is “amazing” to be able to have the final goal in sight. “The students deserve it and they’ve put their absolute heart and soul into it.”
She has taken on the role of Musical Director, alongside Director and fellow staff member (Director of Choral Programme & Music Administrator) Carol Della Barca. Friend, Jillian Andrew has volunteered her time as choreographer.
Together, they have spent months and many more hours perfecting their talents on stage before opening night on Thursday.
“Everybody who is up on stage sings, acts and dances, so it’s brought together those three areas of performing arts.”
For some, doing all three is unfamiliar territory, but they have grasped it with both hands regardless.
“They're a lovely cast and it has got a real family vibe. They’re all working hard, and they’ve got it up to an amazing performance standard.”
Like in the Addams Family Show, Head Student Paige Flashoff has taken on the role of the mother, this time playing Golde.
It will be the first time she has performed on stage as part of a production, something she is “really excited” by.
“It is a really cool experience to have and interact with all the different people from school who we might not have before,” the 17-year-old said. Watching it all come together is her favourite part of it all.
Mrs Cooper says it has been a “big team effort” to get everything ready in time.
“We’ve just identified people’s skills and found a place that we could use them and ask for their support and it’s been really forthcoming which is lovely.”
The school’s Level 2 Building Technology class built the set, and a working bee was held where cast, crew and whanau decorated it.
They also have a live band made up of staff from different faculties and local musicians. While other teachers and staff members have volunteered to do hair, make-up, and tech.
“It's brought the whole school community from all different areas together to achieve one big goal, which is quite cool,” Mrs Cooper said.
DETAILS:
Karamu High School’s production of Fiddler on the Roof will be held at Karamu High School’s June Clark Centre at 7pm this evening (Thursday, July 1) and tomorrow (Friday, July 2), and 1pm on Saturday, July 3.
Tickets are available at the school office for $7 (students) and $15 (adults).
PHOTO: Golde (Paige Flashoff) and Tevye (Rameka Pouhatu-Hawkins) in this year’s Karamu High School production of Fiddler on the Roof. Photo/Phoebe Chenery
